This medical glossary explains the terms and abbreviations patients hear most often in the emergency room, in plain language. Each entry defines the term and explains what it means for your care: why a test is ordered, what a treatment involves, or what to watch for once you’re home. Search for a term, jump to a letter, or browse by stage of your visit, from triage to discharge.
105 terms
The process of ranking patients by how urgently they need care, not by when they arrived.
In the ER: A nurse checks your vital signs and main symptom within minutes of arrival, then assigns a priority level. This is why someone who arrived after you may be seen first. Knowing what to expect during an ER visit makes the wait less confusing.
A five-level scale ERs use to sort patients during triage. Level 1 needs immediate life-saving care; Level 5 is the least urgent.
In the ER: Your level depends on how unstable you are and how many tests or treatments you'll likely need. Someone with chest pain and abnormal vital signs ranks higher than someone with a sprained ankle.
The main reason you came to the ER, usually recorded in your own words.
In the ER: It's the first thing staff ask and it shapes which tests are ordered first. Be specific: "sharp pain in my lower right belly since last night" guides care faster than "I don't feel well."
The basic measurements of how your body is functioning: temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and oxygen level.
In the ER: They're taken at triage and rechecked throughout your visit. A change in your vitals, even without new symptoms, can move you up the priority list or prompt more testing.
The force of blood against your artery walls, written as two numbers: systolic (when the heart beats) over diastolic (when it rests). Normal for adults is below 120/80 mmHg.
In the ER: A reading of 180/120 or higher with chest pain, vision changes, or confusion needs immediate care.
The number of times your heart beats per minute. A normal resting rate for adults is 60 to 100 beats per minute.
In the ER: A rate that is very fast, very slow, or irregular may lead to an EKG and cardiac monitoring. Racing or fluttering heart palpitations with dizziness or chest pain should be checked right away.
The number of breaths you take per minute. A normal resting rate for adults is 12 to 20.
In the ER: Fast breathing can signal an asthma attack, pneumonia, a blood clot in the lungs, or a body under stress from infection. It's counted at triage and watched closely in anyone short of breath.
The percentage of your red blood cells carrying oxygen, measured by a small clip on your finger called a pulse oximeter. Most healthy people read 95% to 100%.
In the ER: Readings that stay below about 92% usually mean you need oxygen therapy and testing to find the cause.
A 0 to 10 rating of how much pain you feel, where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst imaginable.
In the ER: Staff ask for your number at triage and again after treatment to see whether pain management is working. There's no wrong answer. Rate what you feel, not what you think you should feel.
A blood test that counts your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, and measures hemoglobin.
In the ER: It's one of the most common first tests. A high white cell count can point to infection, low hemoglobin to blood loss or anemia, and low platelets to a bleeding risk.
A blood test of eight values: sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, glucose, BUN, and creatinine.
In the ER: It shows how well your kidneys are working and whether vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration has thrown your body chemistry off balance. Results usually return within an hour.
A BMP plus six more values that check liver function and protein levels, for 14 measurements in total.
In the ER: It's ordered when the doctor needs a wider view, such as with abdominal pain, yellowing skin, or unexplained weakness, so liver and kidney problems can be checked in one blood draw.
Minerals in your blood, including sodium, potassium, and chloride, that control fluid balance, nerve signals, and heart rhythm.
In the ER: Repeated vomiting, diarrhea, heat illness, and some medications can push levels too high or too low. An abnormal potassium level is treated quickly because it can trigger dangerous heart rhythms.
The amount of sugar in your blood, often checked with a quick finger-stick. Below 70 mg/dL is considered low.
In the ER: It's checked early in anyone who is confused, fainted, had a seizure, or has diabetes. Very low sugar is corrected within minutes; very high sugar prompts testing for diabetic ketoacidosis.
A blood test that measures troponin, a protein released into the bloodstream when heart muscle is damaged.
In the ER: Ordered when someone arrives with chest pain or other heart attack warning signs. The test is often repeated a few hours later, because levels can take time to rise. Troponin is the key marker in a cardiac enzyme test.
A protein fragment released when a blood clot breaks down in the body.
In the ER: A normal result helps rule out a blood clot in the leg or lungs in lower-risk patients. A high result doesn't confirm a clot, since infection, injury, and pregnancy can also raise it. It usually leads to an ultrasound or CT scan.
A hormone the heart releases when it is stretched and working too hard.
In the ER: It helps tell whether shortness of breath comes from the heart, as in heart failure, or from the lungs. A normal BNP makes heart failure an unlikely cause.
A substance that builds up in the blood when tissues aren't getting enough oxygen.
In the ER: It's a key test when sepsis is suspected. A high level signals that an infection may be starting to affect blood flow and organs, which calls for fast treatment and repeat testing.
An enzyme made by the pancreas to digest fat.
In the ER: It's ordered for severe upper belly pain, especially pain that spreads to the back. A level at least three times higher than normal strongly supports a diagnosis of pancreatitis.
A group of blood tests, including ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin, that show how well the liver and bile ducts are working.
In the ER: They're ordered for upper right belly pain, yellowing skin or eyes, or dark urine. Abnormal results can point to hepatitis or a blocked bile duct from a gallbladder attack.
Tests that measure how long your blood takes to clot. INR is the standardized version of the result.
In the ER: It's checked in people with heavy bleeding, liver disease, or a head injury, and in anyone taking blood thinners. A high INR means a higher bleeding risk.
A test of a urine sample for blood, white cells, bacteria, protein, sugar, and other signs of disease.
In the ER: It's used to check for urinary tract infections, kidney stones (blood in the urine), dehydration, and uncontrolled diabetes. Results from a dipstick are ready within minutes.
A test that detects hCG, the pregnancy hormone, in urine.
In the ER: It's routine for women of childbearing age before X-rays, CT scans, or certain medications. With belly pain or vaginal bleeding, it also helps the doctor rule out an ectopic pregnancy.
A test that checks a blood sample for bacteria or fungi by letting any germs grow in a lab.
In the ER: It's drawn before antibiotics start when a serious infection or sepsis is suspected. Results take 24 to 72 hours or longer, so the ER may call you after discharge if something grows.
A throat swab that detects strep bacteria in about 10 minutes.
In the ER: It's used for a severe sore throat with fever and no cough. A negative rapid test in a child or teen may be followed by a throat culture, which takes one to two days.
A nasal swab that detects influenza in about 15 minutes.
In the ER: It helps confirm the flu early, when flu treatment works best, ideally within 48 hours of symptoms starting. False negatives are possible, so a doctor may diagnose flu from symptoms alone during flu season.
A blood test that detects antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus, the main cause of mononucleosis (mono).
In the ER: It's ordered for a sore throat with fever, swollen neck glands, and heavy fatigue. It can come back negative in the first week of illness.
An imaging test that uses a small dose of radiation to create pictures of bones and some organs.
In the ER: It's the first test for suspected fractures, dislocations, pneumonia, and swallowed objects. Images take seconds to capture, and digital X-rays can be read almost immediately.
An imaging test that combines X-rays with computer processing to create detailed cross-section pictures of the body.
In the ER: It's used for head injuries, severe abdominal pain, suspected appendicitis, kidney stones, and blood clots in the lungs. The scan itself takes only a few minutes. It uses more radiation than a standard X-ray, so it's ordered when the answer will change your care.
An imaging test that uses strong magnets and radio waves, not radiation, to create detailed pictures of soft tissue such as the brain, spine, ligaments, and organs.
In the ER: Emergency care relies on CT because it takes minutes, while an MRI often takes 30 to 60 minutes. When an MRI is needed, it's usually arranged as follow-up care. The guide to MRI vs CT scan explains when each one fits.
A special dye, usually given through an IV, that makes blood vessels and organs stand out more clearly on a CT scan.
In the ER: Staff check your kidney function and ask about past dye reactions before giving it. A brief warm, flushed feeling during the injection is common. Some people also notice tiredness after a contrast CT.
An imaging test that uses sound waves, not radiation, to show organs, blood flow, and soft tissue in real time.
In the ER: It's the go-to test for gallbladder pain, leg clots, kidney problems, and pregnancy-related concerns. Because it's radiation-free, it's often the first choice for pregnant women and children.
The standard form of ultrasound, which produces flat, black-and-white images of a single slice of the body in real time.
In the ER: Nearly every emergency ultrasound is 2D. It's fast, can be done at the bedside, and gives the doctor answers on the spot, such as fluid in the belly, gallstones, or a heartbeat in early pregnancy.
An ultrasound that combines many 2D images into a three-dimensional picture. When the 3D image is shown moving in real time, it's called 4D ultrasound.
In the ER: It isn't used for emergency diagnosis. It's mainly used in pregnancy to view a baby's features or check specific structures in more detail. Emergency questions are answered faster with 2D and Doppler ultrasound.
An ultrasound that measures the speed and direction of blood flow, often shown on screen in color.
In the ER: It's the main test for blood clots in the legs. It also checks whether blood is still reaching an organ, which is critical when testicular or ovarian twisting (torsion) is suspected. Loss of blood flow can damage tissue within hours.
A painless test that records your heart's electrical activity through small sticky pads placed on your chest, arms, and legs.
In the ER: Anyone with chest pain or early heart attack signs should get an EKG within 10 minutes of arrival. It takes about a minute and can reveal a heart attack, an abnormal rhythm, or strain on the heart.
Continuous tracking of your heart rhythm, usually alongside blood pressure and oxygen level, shown on a bedside screen.
In the ER: It's used when there's a chance your heart rhythm could change, such as with chest pain, fainting, palpitations, or abnormal electrolytes. The machine alarms if a reading moves outside a safe range, so staff can respond right away.
A thin, flexible plastic tube placed in a vein, usually in the arm or hand. The needle used to insert it is removed, leaving only the soft tube.
In the ER: One IV line lets staff give fluids and medication and draw blood without repeated needle sticks. It comes out before you go home.
Sterile salt-and-water solutions given directly into a vein through an IV line.
In the ER: They treat dehydration, low blood pressure, and infections that strain circulation. When vomiting makes it impossible to keep water down, IV fluids rehydrate the body much faster than drinking.
Extra oxygen delivered through a soft tube under the nose (nasal cannula) or a face mask.
In the ER: It's started when your oxygen saturation drops too low, such as during an asthma attack, pneumonia, or a blood clot in the lungs. Staff adjust the flow to bring your level back into a safe range.
A machine that turns liquid medicine into a fine mist you breathe in through a mouthpiece or mask, usually over 5 to 15 minutes.
In the ER: It opens tight airways during asthma flare-ups and other breathing emergencies. It works well when you're too short of breath to use an inhaler properly. Knowing common asthma triggers helps prevent the next attack.
A rigid support wrapped to one side of an injured limb to hold it still.
In the ER: Fractures and serious sprains are usually splinted rather than cast, because a splint leaves room for swelling in the first days. A full cast, if needed, is placed at a follow-up visit once swelling goes down.
Threads used to close a cut so the skin edges heal together.
In the ER: They're used for deep, gaping, or bleeding cuts. Wounds close best when treated within hours of the injury. Depending on the location, stitches are removed after about 5 to 14 days, or dissolve on their own.
A medical-grade glue that holds the edges of a small, clean cut together.
In the ER: It's a needle-free option for minor cuts, often used on children and the face. It peels off on its own in 5 to 10 days. Avoid soaking or picking at it until then.
The full process of treating a cut: cleaning, numbing, checking for damage, and closing the wound.
In the ER: The doctor checks for damaged tendons or nerves and for dirt or glass in the wound before closing it with stitches, staples, or skin adhesive. You leave with wound care instructions and signs of infection to watch for.
A procedure that opens and drains an abscess, a pocket of pus under the skin.
In the ER: The area is numbed, a small cut releases the pus, and the space may be packed with gauze. Draining is often the main treatment, because medicine alone rarely clears a large abscess.
Moving a dislocated joint back into its normal position.
In the ER: It's common for shoulders, fingers, and elbows in young children. X-rays are taken to check for fractures, and the joint is supported in a sling or splint afterward. Pain control or sedation helps the joint slip back more easily.
A vaccine that protects against tetanus, a serious infection caused by bacteria that enter through breaks in the skin.
In the ER: You'll need a booster after a dirty or deep wound if your last shot was more than five years ago. This includes puncture wounds and dog bites.
Taking out an object stuck where it shouldn't be, such as in the skin, eye, ear, or nose.
In the ER: Splinters, fishhooks, beads in a child's nose, and metal flecks in the eye are common examples. Swallowed button batteries and magnets are emergencies, because they can damage the digestive tract within hours.
Medicine that calms nausea and stops vomiting. It can be given by mouth, as a tablet that dissolves under the tongue, or through an IV.
In the ER: It's often paired with IV fluids so you can keep liquids down again. Before your visit, it helps to know what to take for nausea and vomiting at home.
The approach used to control pain during and after your visit.
In the ER: It may include over-the-counter options, numbing medicine, ice, splinting, or stronger prescription treatment when needed. Before discharge, you'll get a plan for managing pain safely at home.
Small medical-grade metal staples used to close a cut, most often on the scalp.
In the ER: They're faster to place than stitches and hold well on areas with tension or hair. They're removed with a special tool, usually after 7 to 14 days.
A condition or symptom that starts suddenly or lasts a short time.
In the ER: Most emergencies are acute, such as sudden chest pain, a new severe headache, or abdominal pain that started hours ago. A sudden change matters more than how long a problem has existed.
A condition that lasts three months or longer, or keeps coming back, such as asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
In the ER: Chronic conditions bring people to the ER when they flare up or suddenly worsen. Telling staff about your chronic conditions helps them judge what's new and what's your normal.
Symptoms severe enough that a reasonable person would expect serious harm to their health without immediate care. This is known as the "prudent layperson" standard.
In the ER: What counts is how serious your symptoms seemed, not the final diagnosis. Chest pain that turns out to be heartburn was still a valid reason to come in.
A licensed emergency room that is not physically attached to a hospital. In Texas, freestanding ERs must be open 24/7 with a physician on site at all times, along with on-site lab and imaging.
In the ER: It handles the same emergencies as a hospital ER, from chest pain to fractures. When a patient needs admission or surgery, the team stabilizes them and coordinates a transfer to a hospital. Choosing the right ER comes down to speed, staffing, and capabilities.
A walk-in clinic for minor illnesses and injuries that need same-day attention but aren't emergencies, such as mild sprains, ear infections, or small cuts.
In the ER: Urgent care centers usually have limited hours and testing. Chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke signs, or severe pain belong in an emergency room. This breakdown of ER vs urgent care helps you decide.
A doctor who has completed residency training in emergency medicine and passed national board exams in the specialty.
In the ER: These physicians are trained to assess any emergency, at any age, without knowing in advance what will come through the door.
The doctor's conclusion about what is causing your symptoms, based on your history, exam, and test results.
In the ER: The goal is to find or rule out the dangerous causes first. Sometimes the ER diagnosis is "not an emergency," with a specific cause confirmed later at follow-up.
The list of possible causes a doctor considers for your symptoms before narrowing it down.
In the ER: For chest pain, the list may include heart attack, blood clot, pneumonia, and acid reflux. Each test you receive is chosen to cross a possibility off that list.
To use tests or an exam to show that a specific condition is not the cause.
In the ER: "We ruled out a heart attack" means that dangerous cause was excluded. It doesn't mean nothing is wrong, which is why follow-up care still matters.
Treatment that keeps a medical condition from getting worse, such as restoring breathing, controlling bleeding, or supporting blood pressure.
In the ER: Federal law requires every emergency room to screen and stabilize anyone who comes in with an emergency. Stabilization always comes before a transfer to another facility.
The initial exam every emergency room must give anyone who comes in asking for emergency care, to determine whether an emergency medical condition exists.
In the ER: Federal law requires it. If the exam finds an emergency, the ER must treat or stabilize the patient before any discharge or transfer.
A body temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, usually a sign the body is fighting an infection.
In the ER: Any fever in a baby under 3 months needs immediate care. At any age, fever with a stiff neck, confusion, a spreading rash, or trouble breathing is an emergency. Over-the-counter medicines can ease discomfort while you decide.
A state where the body loses more fluid than it takes in, often from vomiting, diarrhea, heat, or fever.
In the ER: Warning signs include dizziness when standing, very dark urine or none for 8 hours or more, and confusion. If you can't keep fluids down, IV fluids are the fastest fix.
The immune system's overreaction to a usually harmless substance, such as a food, medication, or insect sting.
In the ER: Mild hives or itching often respond to over-the-counter antihistamines. Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, or any trouble breathing, needs emergency care right away.
A severe, whole-body allergic reaction that can close the airway and drop blood pressure within minutes.
In the ER: Use a prescribed auto-injector if you have one, then call 911. Patients are usually watched for several hours after treatment, because symptoms can return even after they improve.
A flare-up where the airways tighten, swell, and fill with mucus, making it hard to breathe.
In the ER: It's an emergency when your rescue inhaler isn't helping, you can't speak in full sentences, or your lips or fingertips turn bluish. Treatment usually starts with a nebulizer and oxygen.
An infection that fills the lungs' air sacs with fluid or pus. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
In the ER: A chest X-ray confirms it, and your oxygen level shows how serious it is. High fever, chest pain when breathing, fast breathing, or confusion, especially in older adults, needs emergency care.
The body's extreme response to an infection, which starts damaging its own tissues and organs.
In the ER: Watch for infection plus a fast heart rate, fast breathing, confusion, or very cold, clammy skin. Sepsis is time-critical: every hour of delay raises the risk, so treatment starts as soon as it's suspected.
A mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head that briefly disrupts how the brain works.
In the ER: Most concussions don't need a CT scan. Repeated vomiting, a worsening headache, confusion, a seizure, or taking blood thinners are reasons for imaging and closer monitoring.
A break or crack in a bone.
In the ER: An X-ray confirms the break, and a splint keeps it stable while swelling settles. A bone that has broken through the skin (open fracture) or a limb that looks deformed, numb, or pale is an emergency.
A stretched or torn ligament, the tissue that connects bones at a joint. Ankles, knees, and wrists are the most common sites.
In the ER: An X-ray often rules out a fracture, since the two can feel the same. Not being able to bear weight, or a joint that looks out of place, is a reason to get checked.
A hard mineral deposit that forms in the kidney and can block urine flow as it passes.
In the ER: It typically causes severe pain in the side or back that spreads to the groin. A CT scan or ultrasound finds the stone. Fever with a kidney stone is an emergency, because it can mean a blocked, infected kidney.
Inflammation of the appendix, a small pouch attached to the large intestine.
In the ER: Pain often starts near the belly button and moves to the lower right side. A CT scan or ultrasound confirms it. Because the appendix can rupture, confirmed cases are transferred quickly for surgery.
A severe rise in blood pressure, generally 180/120 mmHg or higher.
In the ER: Under the 2025 AHA/ACC guideline, the key question is whether organs are being harmed. Chest pain, shortness of breath, vision changes, or confusion with a reading this high signals a hypertensive emergency that needs immediate care.
A blood clot that travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow, most often starting as a clot in the leg.
In the ER: Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that worsens with breathing, a fast heart rate, or coughing up blood are warning signs. A D-dimer test and a CT scan of the lung arteries help confirm it.
A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg.
In the ER: Swelling, pain, warmth, or redness in one leg are the main signs. A Doppler ultrasound confirms it. Treatment starts quickly to keep the clot from traveling to the lungs.
A sudden loss of blood flow to part of the brain, either from a blocked artery or bleeding.
In the ER: Use BE FAST: balance, eyes, face drooping, arm weakness, speech trouble, time to call 911. A CT scan is done immediately, because clot-dissolving treatment works only within hours.
A blockage in an artery that cuts off blood flow to part of the heart muscle.
In the ER: Chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the arm or jaw, shortness of breath, and sweating are classic signs; women more often have nausea or fatigue. An EKG and troponin test confirm it, and the patient is stabilized and transferred to reopen the artery.
Skin damage from heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation, graded as first degree (redness), second degree (blisters), or third degree (deep, white, or leathery skin).
In the ER: Burns larger than your palm, third-degree burns, and burns on the face, hands, feet, groin, or joints need emergency care, as do chemical and electrical burns. Cool the burn under running water for 20 minutes; don't use ice or butter.
Illness from eating food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or toxins, usually causing vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps.
In the ER: Most cases pass within a day or two. Not being able to keep fluids down, bloody diarrhea, high fever, or signs of dehydration need emergency care.
A recurring headache, often throbbing and on one side, that can come with nausea, light sensitivity, or visual changes called aura.
In the ER: A migraine that home treatment can't break, or one with repeated vomiting, can be treated with IV fluids and medication. A sudden "worst headache of your life" isn't typical migraine and needs immediate care.
Sudden pain when a gallstone blocks the duct draining the gallbladder.
In the ER: Pain usually sits in the upper right belly, often after a fatty meal, and can spread to the right shoulder blade. An ultrasound confirms gallstones. Fever or yellowing skin can mean infection. These critical signs of a gallbladder attack show when to come in.
Blood pressure below about 90/60 mmHg.
In the ER: Low readings alone may be normal for some people. Dizziness, fainting, confusion, or cold, clammy skin can signal shock and needs immediate care. Here's when low blood pressure calls for the ER.
Inflammation of the throat, most often from a virus. Strep throat is the bacterial form, which needs antibiotics.
In the ER: Trouble swallowing your own saliva, drooling, a muffled voice, or difficulty breathing can signal a throat abscess.
Common respiratory viruses that cause cold-like symptoms in most adults, but can lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia in infants and older adults.
In the ER: In babies, watch for fast breathing, the skin pulling in between the ribs, poor feeding, or fewer wet diapers. Compare HMPV symptoms with flu, COVID, and RSV.
A stretched or torn muscle or tendon. It differs from a sprain, which involves a ligament.
In the ER: A strained chest wall muscle can feel like heart pain, so chest pain should be checked if you're unsure. Severe weakness or a popping sound at the time of injury are reasons to come in.
Heat illnesses caused by the body overheating. Heat exhaustion brings heavy sweating, cramps, nausea, and dizziness. Heat stroke is the life-threatening stage.
In the ER: A body temperature of 103°F or higher with confusion, fainting, or hot skin is heat stroke. Call 911 and start cooling the person right away.
Blood sugar below 70 mg/dL, most common in people with diabetes.
In the ER: Shakiness, sweating, and confusion are early signs. If the person is awake, fast-acting sugar such as juice usually helps within 15 minutes. A seizure, passing out, or sugar that won't stay up needs emergency care.
A dangerous complication of diabetes where the body burns fat for fuel, producing ketones that make the blood acidic.
In the ER: Signs include extreme thirst, frequent urination, vomiting, fruity-smelling breath, and deep, fast breathing. Treatment includes IV fluids and careful correction of blood sugar and electrolytes.
A sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can cause shaking, staring, or loss of awareness.
In the ER: Call 911 for a first seizure, one lasting over 5 minutes, back-to-back seizures, or a seizure with injury or pregnancy. Never put anything in the person's mouth.
A brief loss of consciousness caused by a drop in blood flow to the brain.
In the ER: Most fainting is harmless, but an EKG, blood sugar, and blood pressure checks rule out heart rhythm problems. Fainting during exercise, or with chest pain or palpitations, needs prompt evaluation.
A bacterial infection of the deeper layers of the skin, causing redness, warmth, swelling, and pain.
In the ER: Redness that spreads quickly, red streaks moving away from the area, or fever means the infection may be spreading. Doctors often mark the edge of the redness with a pen to track it.
A swollen, painful pocket of pus under the skin, caused by a bacterial infection.
In the ER: A large abscess, one with fever, or one on the face or groin usually needs incision and drainage. Squeezing it at home can push the infection deeper.
An infection anywhere in the urinary tract, most often the bladder, causing burning, urgency, and frequent urination.
In the ER: Fever, back or side pain, or vomiting can mean the infection has reached the kidneys. In older adults, new confusion may be the only sign.
The point when you're released from the ER because the doctor has judged it safe for you to continue recovering at home.
In the ER: Discharge doesn't always mean the problem is solved. It means the dangerous causes have been ruled out or treated, and the rest can be managed with home care and follow-up.
The written summary you receive before leaving: your diagnosis, medications, home care steps, follow-up plan, and warning signs.
In the ER: Read them before you leave and ask about anything unclear. They are also the record your primary care provider will need at your follow-up visit.
The specific symptoms that mean you should come back to the ER right away, listed in your discharge instructions.
In the ER: They are tailored to your condition. After a head injury, for example, they may include repeated vomiting or worsening confusion. Don't wait for a follow-up appointment if any of them appear.
The next visit after your ER stay, usually with your primary care provider or a specialist within a few days.
In the ER: Follow-up confirms that treatment is working and handles anything the ER started but didn't finish, such as removing stitches or reviewing pending test results.
The doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant who manages your ongoing health care.
In the ER: Share your PCP's name at registration so your visit records and results can be sent to them. If you don't have one, ask about follow-up options before you leave.
A written or electronic order from a licensed provider for a medication you pick up at a pharmacy.
In the ER: Prescriptions are usually sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy. Fill them the same day, especially antibiotics or pain relief you'll need overnight.
Moving a patient from the ER to a hospital for care that requires admission, surgery, or a specialized procedure.
In the ER: The ER team stabilizes you first, then coordinates the receiving hospital, the ambulance, and the handoff of your test results and imaging. This means you arrive with a diagnosis already underway rather than starting over.
A document confirming the date of your ER visit and, if needed, how long you should stay home.
In the ER: Ask for it before discharge. It's easier to request during your visit than to obtain afterward.
Leaving the ER before the doctor recommends discharge.
In the ER: You have the right to leave. Staff will explain the risks and ask you to sign a form. Leaving AMA doesn't stop you from coming back at any time if symptoms return or worsen.
If a symptom on this page matches what you’re feeling right now, don’t keep reading. Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
This glossary is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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